CSO Insights: How companies are tackling water risks from growing AI-related demand to cyberattacks

In this episode of the All Things Sustainable podcast, we explore how companies are leveraging AI and other technologies to address some of the world's most pressing water challenges even as a new threat is emerging for US water utilities in the form of cyberattacks.

We talk with Claudia Toussaint, Executive Vice President and Chief People and Sustainability Officer at Xylem. Xylem is a major global water technology company that provides services to utility, industrial, commercial, and residential markets.

Claudia outlines the fundamental role water plays in the AI economy, from data center operations to semiconductor manufacturing and electricity generation. She explains how companies can accommodate growing AI demand while also reducing their water use and dependence.

Claudia also tells us how Xylem is working to address big water challenges, including climate change, an infrastructure investment gap and cybersecurity threats. As water utilities increasingly digitize their systems, she says most are not equipped to consistently defend themselves against the kind of cyberattacks that have recently hit water utilities across multiple US states.

"Part of becoming a really good, resilient and sustainable utility means that you manage all of your operational risks. And cybersecurity is an increasing and critical risk for our water utilities," Claudia says.

This episode is the latest installment in our CSO Insights podcast series, where we interview Chief Sustainability Officers around the world and across industries. Listen to other episodes in this series here. 

Further reading and listening:

Rapid data center growth faces sustainability challenges: Increasing emissions and water stress | S&P Global

CSO Insights: The big blind spot software giant SAP sees in AI strategies | All Things Sustainable

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